A REVIEW OF SEISMIC SAFETY CONSIDERATIONS IN THE LIFE CYCLE OF CRITICAL FACILITIES

Requirements for the siting and design of critical facilities have, in the past, pushed the horizons of engineering seismology and earthquake engineering. The nuclear industry, in particular, contributed greatly to the development of these subjects in the 1960s and 1970s. Public concern and consequently regulatory scrutiny were the major factors for the criteria set for the siting and design of nuclear facilities. At present, the siting and design of new nuclear facilities have slowed down considerably. Attention is increasingly focused on the safety of operating plants and the issues involved in decommissioning and waste disposal. This paper discusses some of these new issues and suggests areas of scientific development which may assist in their resolution.